The US State Department has advised US citizens travelling in Sri Lanka and Maldives should return to the United States immediately, due to the global impact of COVID-19 and also the travel advisory remains at level 4.
“The safety & security of #US citizens is our top priority. The travel advisory remains at level 4. If you’re an #American traveling in #Maldives or #SriLanka & live in the US, you should return home now,” the US Embassy in Colombo tweeted on Sunday (22).
U.S. Embassy Colombo
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@USEmbSL
The safety & security of #US citizens is our top priority. The travel advisory remains at level 4. ⚠️ If you’re an #American traveling in #Maldives or #SriLanka & live in the US, you should return home now. Here’s how we help Americans abroad: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-state-dept-can-cant-do-crisis.html … #COVID19
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12:46 PM - Mar 22, 2020
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The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory worldwide to Level 4: Do Not Travel — the highest level, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week the U.S. raised the advisory globally to Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
The Level 4 advisory instructs U.S. citizens not to travel abroad and requires that Americans who are overseas return to the U.S. or shelter in place.
Per the government’s updated statement: “The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.”
The State Department website explains, “This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.”
(Daily Mirror)